HomeMy WebLinkAboutCCWKSPMIN_03.17.21CITY OF FALCON HEIGHTS
City Council Workshop
City Hall
2077 West Larpenteur Avenue
MINUTES
March 17, 2021
6:30 P.M.
NOTE: THIS MEETING WAS HELD BY WEB CONFERENCE
A. CALL TO ORDER: 6:36pm
B. ROLL CALL: ANDREWS _X_ GUSTAFSON_X_ LEEHY_X
MIAZGA X WEHYEE X
STAFF PRESENT: THONGVANH X WALTER X
C. PRESENTATIONS:
D. POLICY ITEMS:
1. Police Services Update
Administrator Thongvanh
We're still in the process of liquidating our assets from the fire department. I'm in the process of
getting appraisals on all 3 vehicles. St. Paul is interested in a variety of our equipment. Once I
have a list of the items they're interested in, I'll bring that to Council.
We received a number of positive comments from agencies in the area regarding our police
services. One agency is very interested in providing some numbers to us, that is the City of
Saint Paul. The Mayor and Police Chief are interested, but they would like a formal letter from
the City requesting a quote. I am looking at authority from the council to draft a letter to the
City of Saint Paul requesting that they submit a proposal.
Our deadline is March 31 to notify Ramsey County that we are interested in other agencies.
Sheriff Fletcher said he would send a letter notifying us that the cost would increase, but I have
not yet received the letter. Per the contract, Ramsey County can increase the City's cost at any
time during the contract.
I am hopeful that we would have a contract in place by April or May. We do need to send a
letter to Ramsey County to notify them that we are considering a contract with another entity.
Council Member Miaz a
If we are to send the letter to St. Paul, is there anything that would prevent us from returning to
the contract with Ramsey County?
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Administrator Thongvanh
I'm not sure, I would need to speak with our legal department.
Council Member Wehyee
You said that other agencies are not currently interested. I'm wondering if we contract with St.
Paul, how would that affect the feasibility of contracting with them in the future?
Administrator Thongvanh
I would think not. I would look for at least a 3-year contract so that we can realize our
investment in terms of the start-up costs. These start-up costs would include training of new
recruits and capital costs. I would also look for a term in the contract that an officer be stationed
in Falcon Heights 24/ 7.
Once the council directs me to draft a formal letter to request services from Saint Paul, we will
wait for the response and that will trigger a special meeting to discuss.
Council Member WehM
If we decide to go down this route, how long can they serve our community before we can
begin working with St. Paul?
Mayor Gustafson
Once we give notice, the contract ends December 31, 2021. Beginning January 1, 2022, we would
be under a new contract with St. Paul. Given that St. Paul will need to increase staffing, we
would likely have to pay overtime rates for approximately 5 months while they increase their
department size.
Administrator Thongvanh
I just need authority to write the letter, it can be informal.
The council members provided authorization.
Administrator Thongvanh
I'll move forward on drafting a letter.
E. INFORMATION/ ANNOUNCEMENTS:
F. ADJOURNMENT: 7:27 PM a
�y
Randall C. Gusta on, Mayor
Dated this 17 day of March, 2021
Sack Thongvanh, City Administrator
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